The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten off to a strong start in their defense of last year’s World Series title, entering play Tuesday with the best record in baseball. They also are the only team that has won every series played.
The Dodgers are projected to win the most games in baseball, having returned the majority of their core. That was made possible by re-signing key contributors Blake Treinen and Justin Turner over the winter.
L.A. also has welcomed back David Price, who did not play last year due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. In terms of new additions, the Dodgers made one of the biggest splashes by signing 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer to a record-setting contract.
“We have a chance to do something really special and win a championship,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“That’s part of the fun of you don’t play the game on paper and you have to play 162 games this year to see where we end up. I think if you look at talent potential, it can be as good as any team that the Dodgers have ever fielded.”
Roberts certainly knows a thing or two about talented rosters, as he has managed numerous All-Stars during his five-year stint as Dodgers manager.
Over that stretch, L.A. has won the NL West each season while advancing to four NL Championship Series and three World Series.
The 2020 Dodgers won 43 of 60 regular-season games before going on to take care of business in the postseason. In a normal 162-game season, that would have translated to 116 wins — a feat only the 1906 Chicago Cubs and 2001 Seattle Mariners accomplished.
Andrew Friedman: Dodgers ‘still the hunter’ after winning World Series
After ending the franchise’s World Series drought, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged that the club has a target on their back, but feels they are just as hungry to win another championship.
The last team to repeat as World Series champions is the New York Yankees, who won three titles from 1998-2000.
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